Croft Goode Architects and Great Places Housing Group have completed a £5.7m extra-care development of affordable housing for older people in Blackpool.

Tulloch Court is the first facility of its kind in the area and is aimed at over 55s. The new building contains 46 two-bedroom apartments with their own front door. Residents will have 24-hour care on site if needed. There is also a communal lounge and space for hairdressing, a spa and sauna.

Mick Goode, director of Kirkham-based Croft Goode Architects, said: "The design was all about changing perceptions of affordable housing for the elderly and the art-deco styling was developed with Blackpool Borough Council's Urban Design Department who wished to see a reference to the architectural heritage of this seaside town.

"Curved forms, feature balconies, and strong architectural features and render detailing to the corners of the building have been used to achieve this look, while creating a point of reference and interest in the local streetscape. A courtyard garden provides secure amenity space for residents at the heart of the scheme, with areas of sensory planting, textured paving and pergolas to create a comfortable place where residents can relax."

Stephen Porter, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, said: "We're proud to be leading the way in delivering the best possible housing for older people. Our Extra Care apartments will offer a great quality of life for residents."

The development, part-funded by the Homes & Communities Agency, is named after Blackpool footballer Bert Tulloch who once ran a pub on the site off Cherry Tree Road at Marton. The apartments will be leased to people on Blackpool Council's housing waiting list.

Agreed, shocking palette of colours… but then theres the architecture! Not good at all it has no coherent language with a mish-mash of archetypes thrown together like a first year students project and is about as sublte as a punch in the head.

Having experienced the fedback from Blackpool’s so-called "Urban Design Service" its no wonder the building looks the way it does. The service consists of a one-man band…who imposes his rather questionable taste upon every development he can get his hands on, resulting in pastiche developments that are actually counter-productive to the architectural development of blackpool. And killing any innovation or creative expression from designers and architects alike.

Why is it that architects default position for anything not ‘modernist’ is called pastiche? It’s like a religious order! C’mon guys….relax – the whole point in Blackpool’s existence is to be an affront to conventionally perceived ‘taste’ You’ll never turn it into Brighton….

Paul, agreed I’ll look forward to Blackpools LDF policies containing the statement that "Blackpool’s existence is to be an affront to conventionally perceived ‘taste’" The problem with Blackpool and the Fylde coast as a whole is that there is no one unified approach coming from anyone. There is no singular entity looking at Blackpool, its neighbours and the interelationship between them to set a vision or agenda for the future both physically and economically. the lack of development briefs, frameworks or even an urban design agenda is astounding. Instead the process of positive growth is being undermined by groups that are more concerned with "Empire Building" rather than engaging positively with the private sector…ala Re Blackpool who operate as some kind of Urban regenration tyrant when it comes to private investment.